COUPLES RETREAT
REPAIR, REBUILD, RENEW
Making Long-Term Relationships Last
Being able to recognize signs of problematic relationship patterns is key to knowing when to go to couples therapy. The earlier you address relationship problems, the easier it is to prevent them from escalating into more significant issues — not to mention you can avoid developing destructive behaviours that may ultimately lead to the demise of your relationship and all the consequences that come with this. When you’re in a long-term relationship, you end up sharing a lot, from your home, to your kids, to your friends and finances, everything gets intertwined. If the emotional turmoil of breakup is not enough, then all the rest just piles on top – it can be a costly experience both financially and emotionally. Some of the key themes that suggests your relationship is in trouble are;
• Frequent and intense arguments
• Lack of effective communications
• One, or both, emotionally withdrawing
• Trust issues
• Loss of physical intimacy
• Impact of major life transitions – parenthood, job loss, menopause
• Feelings of growing apart
• Affairs – either considering or they have taken place
• Substance misuse – an increase in drinking and/or drug use
Couples therapy is a proven successful way to discuss anything that may be of concern in a safe and neutral environment. It isn’t always about rescuing a relationship it can also be a way take stock of where your relationship is and look towards deepening it and move forward together in unison.
Couples Therapy Experience
For over 20 years the groundbreaking equine work of Operation Centaur has provided thousands of people the ability to overcome their challenges in some of the most awe-inspiring places in the world.
Together with the decades of the experience of BTB’s couples therapy staff and world-renowned hypnotherapist Malminder Gills’ sleep concierge service we can now offer a couples retreat like no other in the world. Alongside a group of no more than 8 couples and under the guidance of an experienced professional team we offer couples a unique opportunity to address their relationship challenges in our exclusive couples retreat on the spectacular island of Barbados.
Spanning 7 days and 7 nights, specialist therapists lead a unique and proven couples therapy programme utilizing equine and traditional couples' therapies alongside sleep hypnotherapy and a range of nature-based therapies and activities such as swimming with turtles, forest breathing and mindfulness. With included optional excursions the retreat gives couples a real opportunity to repair, rebuild and renew.
Come and join our next retreat… Link to full Brochure
Our Daily Programme
DAY ONE (SATURDAY) – ARRIVAL
Be picked up at the airport and taken to your villa. Settle into your
accommodation, take a swim in the infinity pool, rest up and
enjoy the refreshments and food provided. Informally meet the other couples on the retreat. After the evening meal meet the treatment team as a group, review the weeks programme, create the solid ground upon
which your couples therapy can begin. It is the start of our journey, a moment for you to establish your own ways to keep yourself safe and productive, as well as open and accountable. A time for questions and answers. Free time then retire for the night and start your sleep
concierge service.
DAY TWO (SUNDAY) – A BEGINNING
Breakfast, then an island tour and swim in the Caribbean sea. Back to the villa for lunch and your initial individual 1:1’s with the treatment team and go over the relationship assessment forms you filled in pre-arrival. Free time until after the evening meal. Group meeting with Andreas to review tomorrow with the horses. Free time then retire for the night and sleep concierge service.
DAY THREE (MONDAY) – UNDERSTANDING
CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Today your relationship with your horse begins. As you wordlessly chose each other and bond, your horse will see you, they will feel as you truly are. They will respond to your signals without opinion and without judgement. In turn you will feel their strength, their security, and their power to move you. Horses act as a mirror. How we experience our relationships with them reflects how we usually conduct our relationships. After the evening meal there will be recap on the day before free time and access to your sleep concierge.
DAY FOUR (TUESDAY) – RECONNECTING WITH
EACH OTHER AND WITH YOURSELF
Your relationship to your horse, and to each other and the group will now be deepening. Each interaction brings understanding, but also new challenges. These challenges may create minor conflicts, or deep tensions, with the steady gaze of your horse compelling you to examine your responses. While we connect with an animal, we also re-connect with an often-disavowed part of ourselves. Reclaiming this part can have a profound impact on relationships. After the evening meal there will be recap on the day before free time and access to your sleep
concierge.
DAY FIVE (WEDNESDAY) – MOVING FORWARD
Breakfast, then swimming with turtles for one group,
mindfulness in the forest for the other, then back to the
horses. Today you will move from feeling stuck, to a sense
of moving forward. As a herd you will move past the
conflicts and disconnections towards collaboration, letting
go of control and accepting things as they are. At times we
find ourselves at an impasse in our relationships. Working
with horses as a couple creates new perspectives and often
original and new solutions. After the evening meal there
will be recap on the day before free time and access to
your sleep concierge.
DAY SIX (THURSDAY) – SETTING DIRECTION
Breakfast, then swimming with turtles for one group,
mindfulness in the forest for the other, then back to the
horses. Today is about making decisions. Once we
understand the patterns that govern our relationships, we
have options – do we stay the same, or make changes?
Horses don’t judge and horses don’t shame us. Whatever
direction we choose there is support and further learning.
After the evening meal there will be recap on the day
before free time and access to your sleep concierge.
DAY SEVEN (FRIDAY) – HOPE AND NEXT STEPS
Today is all about drawing everything together and your last day with the horses. It is a time of hope and to build on the progress you have made this week, exploring your commitments to each other on returning home and reviewing the continuing support packages of care offered to you from the therapy team. The afternoon ends with your goodbyes to the horses and to be with them in the sea. In the evening there is a sunset experience and a campfire group therapy session on the beach with food. Finally, you have some free time and access to your sleep concierge.
DAY EIGHT (SATURDAY) – DEPARTURE
Goodbyes and picked up and taken to the airport.
Who Are Bespoke Treatment Barbados?
At Bespoke Treatment Barbados (BTB) we provide exclusive health and wellbeing treatment utilising nature-based therapy and traditional psychotherapy in a Caribbean setting. Our services cater for those
struggling with a range of issues such as: stress, anxiety, burn-out, trauma, depression, relationship and sleep problems. We provide bespoke one to one treatment as well as programmes for couples and families as well as retreats.
BTB is a team of highly qualified, experienced professionals including psychiatrists, general practitioners, psychologists, psychotherapists, hypnotherapists, nature therapists, nutritionists and other health and well-being professionals. Our multidisciplinary approach to treatment ensures all our clients receive the best chance of achieving long lasting positive mental health and wellbeing. With a commitment to providing innovative evidence based and compassionate care and by treating our clients with confidence, kindness, dignity and respect we are dedicated to providing a service based on clinical excellence and meeting our clients’ personal needs.
BTB puts a strong basis on nature-based therapy such as Chelonian Therapy (swimming with turtles). Connecting with another being and ultimately being fully connected within oneself is the special quality of the chelonioan experience. The feelings that are part of this process – eye contact, connectedness, aliveness and harmony – provide clients with the opportunity to reduce stress, increase relaxation and alleviate depressive states by stimulating production of endorphins and hormones. It is difficult to put into words the experience of taking a dip, eyeball-to-eyeball, with a 90-year-old, 100lb hawksbill but we can say it is a life changing experience. Our trips are ethically run by two marine biologists who combine trips with the evaluation, monitoring, protection and education of tropical reef and coastal ecosystems. Both have earned reputations as dedicated scientists and are experts in marine habitats – so are great for facts and extra insight. All our sea turtle swims are guided by strict codes of conduct before clients reach the water with a full brief on acceptable behaviour.
BTB Community Work
BTB is a keen supporter of local communities, and we are keen to put something back into the local community, so we are privileged to support Sandy Turf Stables in this area as well as offering pro-bono equine therapy days to the underprivileged youth of Barbados.
Sandra opened her stables 26 years ago. A few of the horses are home bred but a large number are thorough-bred rescues as well as adoptees from the local polo stables and racetrack where they can be “retired” to Sandra and a different life. Outside of the riding experiences Sandra offers for individuals with special needs, and for those that don’t, she also uses the stables for community services opportunities to the underprivileged youth in Barbados and runs programmes for those wanting to work in the horse industry, be that exercise riders, grooms etc. These individuals also help with the special needs children when they come as well as supporting the beach rides, which includes going into the sea with the horses when the ride is completed.
Retreat Key Information
• Flight costs are not included in the couples retreat costs.
• Barbados does not require a visa for most nationalities, however, if required, we can assist in fast tracking these for you.
• BTB will provide expedited VIP travel assistance at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados, with personal one-on-one service and on your return.
• APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2024 RETREAT ARE NOW CLOSED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE DETAILS OF OUR BESPOKE INDIVIDUAL COUPLES PROGRAMME THEN PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
Your arrival and departure service includes:
• Meet and greet
• Escort through immigration and customs
• Escort to baggage claims
• Escort to awaiting transportation where your BTB team will take you to your accommodation and back to the airport on your day of departure and the departure lounge.
Accommodation is spread across 2 adjoining villas in a tropical setting with landscaped gardens and 30’ infinity pool overlooking the ocean. The villas are located in a unique setting perched above an ancient
gully. Guests will be immersed in a lush environment surrounded by songbirds and stunning views. A quiet comfortable stay, with all the luxuries of home but the experience of living in luxury within a tropical jungle.
For your comfort all the bedrooms are equipped with carefully selected linens, pillows and towels. BTB provides your onsite food and refreshment. Wi-Fi is provided at your accommodation which is decorated in a Balinese style. Hairdryers, irons and all bathroom needs such as shower gel, shampoo and conditioner are provided.
Although BTB provides its own chef to provide you with breakfast, lunch and dinner all guest have full access to these facilities outside of these times.
The 8 bedrooms are spread across the 2 villas and come with king or queen size beds and most are ensuite. The elevation of the villas allows for a constant breeze flowing through the villas allowing its guests to sleep comfortably without the need for air conditioning. However, there are some in some of the master bedrooms for additional comfort if desired.
Transport to the stables and any external activities such as swimming with the turtles is provided.
BTB provides all housekeeping and a live-in support worker who is onsite 24/7 to meet any emerging needs. Both the CEO and COO of BTB are also only 5 minutes away if needed.
For All Enquiries, Please Call +44(0) 7496 883214 or E-mail: karenl@bespoketreatmentbarbados.com
For Full Brochure: Click Here
©2023 by Bespoke Treatment Barbados.